Dashcam Captures Police Officer Kicking Suspect in The Head

On May 30, 2015, Allentown police officer Joseph M. Iannetta kicked Hector Medina-Pena in the head during an arrest, after the car he was riding in was stopped by police. The incident was captured on dashcam video (above).

Medina-Pena is now suing Allentown city officials and members of its police department, alleging that the arresting officers violated his civil rights when they used excessive force during the incident and that city and police officials attempted to cover it up.

The arrest was made following a description match of an armed robbery suspect who had held up a strip club that day.

Allentown Police Dept said in a statement that Medina-Pena "repeatedly refused to comply" with arresting officer Iannetta's orders and reached into the area of his waistband several times." "Officer Iannetta took action to protect himself ... [taking the] later-convicted robber into custody by using the minimal amount of force necessary."

Medina-Pena later pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to up to 10 years in state prison.

Looking at the footage at top, do you think the police officer in question used excessive force, or was it completely warranted in this instance?